NFL fines Michael Bennett for hit on Dallas QB; does not fine Cowboy for hit on Ricardo Lockette
The NFL fined Michael Bennett for a hit few will remember. It decided not to fine the Cowboys for a hit on Ricardo Lockette few will forget.
The league docked the Seahawks’ defensive end $20,000 for lunging into the lower legs of Dallas quarterback Matt Cassel late in Seattle’s 13-12 victory last weekend. Bennett got flagged for roughing the passer on that play.
Cowboys safety Jeff Heath was not fined for his open-field hit that left Lockette motionless on the field, strapped to a stretcher then hospitalized. The Seahawks’ wide receiver and special-teams ace had surgery on Monday to fix disc and ligament damage in his neck. He was released from Baylor Medical Center on Thursday. The 29-year old’s season is over and his career is in jeopardy.
Dean Blandino, the NFL’s head of officiating, explained the play Friday in this video:
NFL head of officiating explains 2 most-debated plays from #Seahawks at Cowboys, including hit on Ricardo Lockette https://t.co/FL3eBMa2DQ
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) November 6, 2015Bennett’s been fined three times this preseason and regular season, costing him more than $50,000. The first was for a hit on Alex Smith in an August exhibition game at Kansas City. The league fined him again last month for slamming Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton well behind the play during a long interception return by teammate Earl Thomas.
This story was originally published November 7, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "NFL fines Michael Bennett for hit on Dallas QB; does not fine Cowboy for hit on Ricardo Lockette."